Backwards step in ruptured brain aneurysm

[FS12]

Hi it’s one month and four days after my best friend was treated for a ruptured brain aneurysm. The hospital coiled the ruptured aneurysm and also coiled an intact aneurysm.

Her recovery has been slow but we did see signs of recognition, eyes lighting up, smiling and waving whilst in ICU, she was and is unable to talk. She is being attached to a speech valve hourly to get her used to it.

Since being moved out of ICU and onto a step down ward she has started therapy to improve her recovery however all the signs of recognition have gone and she is in a constant state of tiredness. I understand the tiredness but is it a normal part of the process to have what I’m terming a backwards step in the initial cognitive gains.

Thanks

[cat3]

Hi FS12. I can only offer you hearsay as I've no recollection of my first weeks after a brain haemorrhage, but according to my son & daughter it was a long uncertain wait for signs of progress. I remember nothing of ICU and only began to gain vague awareness (& talking gobbledygook) at the 5-6 week point after transfer to the recuperation ward, but it wasn't 'til I reached the rehab unit that I started regaining meaningful cognizance.

It upset me later learning of my family's anxious wait throughout that uncertain period, but the consultant constantly reminded them of the naturally slow 'comeback' from a brain injury. He used the term 'Turning a corner' for my sudden progress as apparently I improved significantly in the space of 23hrs.

I hope your dear friend will surprise you with some significant progress soon m'dear ; hang in there. All best wishes for her safe return... Cat x

[cat3 in reply to cat3]

Sorry, meant to say how 'One step forwards-three steps back' is quite normal as the brain goes through the stages of recalibration, healing, resting, rewiring .. x

[FS12 in reply to cat3]

Thank you some much for your reply and I hope you recovering well. Just this morning we had a really positive video call with her, a vast difference from even just a few days ago. I am feeling more positive about her recovery and your post was the icing on the cake, thank you so much. X

[cat3 in reply to FS12]

That's SO good to hear m'love. We're so used to quick turnarounds in many other urgent health issues that weeks of no significant progress is bound to feel foreboding. And the neuro doctors won't commit until there are clear signs of progress so it's a dreadful time for loved ones.

I know my son & daughter were frantic with worry, firstly whether I'd survive, then later whether my new, bizarre behaviour would be permanent (talked utter nonsense for a few weeks, swore a great deal, pulled out tubes and fell out of bed)

So there might be further alarming phases in your friend's return journey but it's all part of the process of tuning back in to the here & now. Please keep updating FS12 and best wishes for your friend's further progress. Cat x

[FS12 in reply to cat3]

I have to say you’ve been spot on, this morning through her speech valve, she told the nurse she wasn’t a mermaid and that she wanted to bark all day, had you not mentioned the bizarre behaviour I would have been worried sick.

[cat3 in reply to FS12]

Let's hope you'll be doing what we did (& still do) before too long. Months after my discharge my family and I could finally laugh together about my embarrassing behaviour and comments, although I was fascinated/horrified/in stitches from the many tales of my antics...

It's all part of your friend's brain trying (& temporarily failing) to make sense of things, so a whole new learning process. Keep us updated m'love... x

[cashcraft39]

Sounds like what my husband went through it was a long process for him and he had to learn how to speak again. It’s a long road of recovery that won’t happen over night.